It’s no secret that 2012 has not been a banner year for Sony, and one of the ways it wants to turn that around seems to be by taking on the used games market. A patent filed by SCE Japan describes a novel solution of associating a game copy with a single user account, not through the use of passcode authentication, but by putting an NFC chip on every game disc.
How the Technology Works
“When the game is to be played, the reproduction device conveys the disc ID and a player ID to the use permission tag,” according to Sony Japan’s patent document. “The use permission tag stores the terms of use of the game and determines whether a combination of the disc ID and the player ID conveyed from the reproduction device fulfills the terms of use or not.”
This technology essentially means that each game disc would be uniquely tied to a specific user account. The NFC chip embedded in the disc would communicate with the gaming console to verify the identity of the player attempting to use the game. If the player ID does not match the disc ID stored in the NFC chip, the game would not be playable. This could potentially eliminate the resale of used games, as each disc would be locked to the original purchaser’s account.
Implications for the Gaming Industry
The implications of this technology are significant for both consumers and the gaming industry. For consumers, this could mean the end of buying and selling used games, which has been a popular way to save money and try out new titles without paying full price. On the other hand, game developers and publishers could see a boost in revenue, as they would no longer lose sales to the second-hand market.
However, this move could also face backlash from gamers who feel that they should have the right to resell or share their purchased games. The second-hand market has been a staple of the gaming community for years, and many players rely on it to afford new games. Additionally, this technology could raise concerns about privacy and data security, as it involves tracking and storing user information.
To provide a broader perspective, it’s worth noting that Sony is not the first company to explore ways to limit the resale of used games. Other gaming companies have experimented with similar technologies and policies. For example, some games require online activation codes that can only be used once, effectively preventing the resale of the game. However, these measures have often been met with resistance from the gaming community.
Moreover, the implementation of NFC technology in game discs could open up new possibilities for game developers. For instance, developers could use the NFC chip to offer exclusive content or bonuses to the original purchaser, adding value to buying new games. This could include downloadable content (DLC), special in-game items, or early access to new features.
While the patent filing does not guarantee that Sony will implement this technology, it does indicate the company’s interest in exploring new ways to protect its intellectual property and increase revenue. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how companies balance the need for innovation with the desires and expectations of their customers.
Via NeoGAF, Eurogamer
Source Patent
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